Historic St. Petersburg Woman’s Club Celebrates Re-Opening 

As was the case for so many others in our community, Hurricane Helene showed no mercy to the St. Petersburg Woman’s Club. This 112-year-old historic landmark in Snell Isle suffered damage that had devastating effects on the club. Flood waters rose over two feet throughout the lower level of the building destroying floors, carpets, cabinetry, and furniture. FEMA required the club to throw out almost everything; they had to rebuild their kitchen, bathroom, and main meeting and event spaces, as well as upgrade the electrical system. 

While the storm destroyed many documents and records, Club President Barbara Sundholm said, “Fortunately, we moved all of our archives upstairs, and so those important historic items were not damaged.” 

The extensive repairs, however, forced the club to close for nearly four months, a blow for an organization that relies on rental income from events and meetings to keep their club up and running. Nevertheless, the Woman’s Club persisted, and on March 14, they celebrated the grand reopening of their historic building.

The history of the St. Petersburg Woman’s Club is extensive and reveals important pieces of our city’s past, its architecture, and the role women have played in what it is today. Founded on February 7, 1913, with 14 members, the SPWC was started by Nancy (Greene) Easterly of Evanston, Illinois. Easterly previously served as President of the Federated Woman’s Club in Illinois, who, upon moving to Florida found she missed the charitable work, opportunities for education, and the social events of her club. That motivated her to create something similar in St. Pete. 

In the early days, the club focused on women’s suffrage, child labor, immigration, welfare, war efforts, and public health. As it gained popularity and memberships continued to grow, the SPWC officially joined the General Foundation of Woman’s Clubs in 1924. Throughout the 20s, the club dreamed of finding a clubhouse to call home. They began raising funds to buy or build but were soon in for a surprise. 

“In 1928 Perry Snell offered the club this piece of property where the clubhouse stands today,” Sundholm shared, “but the SPWC was reluctant because the streetcar line stopped across the water, and there was only a rickety bridge to get across to ‘the jungle,’ as it was called then. But it was free and so they agreed.”

Turns out, Perry Snell had slight ulterior motives.

“He knew what he was doing. He was thinking, if ‘I put them [the SPWC], they are going to get a new bridge built,’ and he was right. The bridge was built and then dedicated on Christmas Day, 1931.” It was a beneficial move for all: The Woman’s Club got a prime spot on the very popular and beautiful Snell Isle, and Perry Snell now had a beautiful bridge to get people there.

By November 1929, the new clubhouse was built and dedicated, a beautiful example of Mediterranean Revival architecture. Its unique design features terra cotta roof tiles, stucco walls, arched windows, and ornate detailing that reflects the architectural trend in the city during that time. From the Great Depression, a fire in 1940, and the war years, to the hurricanes that hit our community so hard, the St. Petersburg Woman’s Club has worked to continue their charitable and civic endeavors, all while working hard to preserve the historic integrity of their beautiful building.

The reopening was a day of celebration not just for the historic the building, but for the current club members and the inspiring women who came before them who help make the city great. The day included a presentation from author Bridges Delponte about her new book, She Soars. She offered a fascinating discussion about the female pilots in Florida who made history in Aviation. Those in attendance also heard from Chris Steinocher, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, as well as St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, who said, “We need to look at the brighter side of where we are. We are a blessed community despite everything we went through last summer. The fact that y’all have rebuilt the Woman’s Club so quickly reestablishes the spirit of resiliency we have in our city.” 

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting to officially re-open the building. Attendees were encouraged to tour newly designed kitchen and bathroom along with the updated event space.

I had the opportunity to speak with the SPWC evening group co-chairs, Tyler Kornatowski and Li Watts on the historic day. When asked why the club was so important, Watts said, “We want to give back to the community. We want to make friends and socialize sure, but we really want to contribute, and service is at the core of the Woman’s Club.”

Kornatowski added, “It’s a way for us, instead of individuals, to get together as a group. So, instead of volunteering alone, you are with people. There is strength in numbers, so we can offer a team, who is reliable, to volunteer.”  

Both the day and evening groups are focused on education and community outreach. In 2023, Sundholm said, “we completed 48 projects, logged over 17,000 volunteer hours, and donated $5,590 to local nonprofits, and we did better than that this past year. The opportunities are endless in how we serve.” As for the future, Sundholm exclaimed, “We are back and we are better than ever! We are here to support the community, and we are always open to new members.”

Learn more at stpetersburgwomansclub.org.